The Atlanta Hawks have put all the pieces together to make a playoff run. They return plenty of young talent and have gone out to fill several big holes in the roster. Of course, the team also brings back one of the best guards in the league, Trae Young. However, how far the team goes in 2025 is dependent on the performance of one key big man: Kristaps Porzingis.
Kristaps Porzingis: The Stretch Big Hawks Have Been Searching For
Atlanta went out and got a key addition to its roster almost immediately after the offseason began. The Porzingis trade was able to kill two birds with one stone: spread the court and be a valuable rim protector. Everybody knows how Porzingis can be a deadly sharpshooter, unlike many bigs of his size. However, Porzingis is an elite shot blocker. He averaged 1.8 blocks per game in 2024, not to mention his nearly 20 points per game.
Porzingis is everything that the Hawks need in the front court... if he remains healthy. Porzingis has been injury-prone in the past, specifically knee injuries, including a torn medial retinaculum this past season. If Porzingis goes down, there are not that many reliable options behind him. Asa Newell is there as the standout summer league rookie, but nobody else can stretch the court like Porzingis can. When he is healthy, no one on the Hawks can match what he provides.
Needless to say, the Hawks' season is dependent on how Porzingis plays. We still have not had a good look at him, not only as a Hawk, but also since his most recent health concerns. If he does not play up to his normal standard, Atlanta could be in trouble. However, if he plays just as we expect him to, Atlanta has a serious shot to contend for a huge playoff run. The Hawks need Porzingis to play up to speed desperately. If not, it could be a long season coming for Atlanta fans.